Fifty-nine years ago today, astronaut John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth after personally asking for Katherine Johnson to verify his Mercury missions’ orbital trajectory calculations. As a Black woman, Katherine Johnson shattered race and gender barriers to live out her dreams and become a pivotal part of this country’s young space program. “This spacecraft has the honor of being named the S.S. “I am humbled to be the International Space Station Flight Director for the Northrup Grumman CRS-15 mission,” said Adi Boulos, the lead NASA flight director for the mission, in a statement. On February 20, as NASA marked the day fifty-nine years ago when John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth, they also celebrated the launch of the spacecraft named after NASA’s “hidden figure” Katherine Johnson. “Go for what you love to do and just keep working at it.Probably the biggest news this weekend was Northrop Grumman’s cargo resupply launch. “Have a dream, and stay with it,” Hylick said. Hylick often speaks at elementary schools, where she said her mother’s story makes an impact on young students with big goals. “And then she said she wished she could talk to him about how they’re teaching children, because she said it ain’t good,” Hylick remembered with a laugh. When she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Johnson glowed after Obama planted a kiss on her cheek. “Mom whispered to me, ‘It would have been nice to have it named after the team,’” Hylick recalled. In 2017, NASA hosted the ribbon cutting ceremony for a new building at the Langley Research Center named the Katherine G. “My doctor once told me, your mom is a genius, and geniuses never think they’re doing anything extraordinary,” Hylick remembered. At lunch, Johsnon played bridge with NASA engineers. Hylick said though she was required to use segregated facilities, she’s sure her mom just used whatever bathroom was closer. When she was hired to work at NASA, Johnson had to use a segregated restroom and cafeteria. Two years later, she was one of the first Black students to enroll in a graduate program at West Virginia University, integrating the school. Johnson graduated from college in 1937 at just 18. She said although her mother did not push math in her family, the lessons Hylick learned from Johnson carried her throughout her life and career.Īccording to Hylick, Johnson’s keys to life start with a simple one: “Always do your best.” Others include “accept the help you’re given, help others when you can and you’re no better, you’re no worse. Hylick herself became “the girl,” following in Johnson’s footsteps with roles at NASA and Lockheed Martin before her retirement. It was enough for me that I knew when he needed ‘the girl’ to boost his confidence that he could entrust his life to the heavens, and get him back home. “Many have asked me over the years if John Glenn ever knew my name,” Hylick read from her mother’s memoir, “My Remarkable Journey.” “Who knows? It didn’t matter to me then, and it doesn’t matter now. Johnson was reportedly called “the girl” by astronaut John Glenn, who refused to fly until the math used to coordinate his trip had been verified by her. She was eventually awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. She helped to put the first American into space and to send modules to the moon. Johnson was one of the first Black women hired by NASA as a mathematician. She was still funny, pleasant, bright, thoughtful and humble,” Hylick told a crowd of about 80 people. “Mom remained to the very end the same person I described before, all her life. Laurel resident who recently spoke about her mom’s autobiography in a virtual event for the Burlington County Library System. On Earth, Johnson’s incredible life and career are celebrated by many, but especially her daughter, Joylette Hylick, a Mt. Katherine Johnson, a supply satellite currently docked at the International Space Station, was named for the late NASA mathematician featured in the film “Hidden Figures.” Katherine Johnson took her last flight into space on Feb.
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